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I can’t quite get the nylon/carbon fiber material to run consistently. I’ve even had trouble with ABS, but with PETG, while a bit more difficult than PLA, I can achieve acceptable results. This is especially true when I don’t have large interior voids where stringing still becomes...

I 3d printed “emergency” gears in PETG and they’ve performed admirably. Sure beats having your Mini Mill down awaiting replacements! John W

I’ve often wondered how fired clay with a glaze would work. I haven’t got a kiln to give it a try, but it sure seems as though it would possibly approximate a porcelain insulator. Just rambling here, I haven’t the technology to attempt it, but wondering out loud… John W

Many moons ago, while in the US Navy, I attended Shipfitter “A” school with brazing and shielded arc welding. All soldering was with soft solder, but my next school was a Shipfitter “B” school for high pressure silver soldering. The amount of prep work and care for a high pressure steam joint to...

Minh-Thanh, For an IC engine, Henry Ford’s first engine comes pretty close to doing it without machine tools. Mostly plumbing parts, perhaps a torch-drill-files-sandpaper and lots of “elbow grease” Here’s my version: John W

Thanks! I’ll look them over and see why the big engine isn’t running. John W

That looks great! Are you willing to share the STL for us guys capable of doing the necessary extra work without any additional help? I believe this would be a great project for my grandson and I. Thanks in advance, John W

After reading some things and watching a video about print strength, I’ve begun printing 4 layer perimeters and top/bottom layers. I’m finding that infill isn’t nearly as important as outer wall strength when it comes to resisting lateral forces. Maybe that’s why my simple PLA gear replacement...

Okay, I followed you over here next! Still looking forward to seeing the pours and machine work. Thanks, John W

Well I can’t wait to see your castings, and eventually, the completed engine. John W

Love it! Have you tried assembling your 3D printed parts for running on air? In another thread, I’ve proposed building Elmer Verburgh’s #5 “Geared Engine” via 3D print. You’ve already printed most of a very unique engine, and I for one, would love to see it run! nice work, John W

Actually, Kurt Vonnegut is a famous American author. My name is John, a not so famous retired professional firefighter (42 years, finally retiring as a Fire Chief in 2017) and a lackluster home shop machinist apprentice! John W

Your attention to detail is fantastic! As a young firefighter, and later fire engineer, I spent many hours under our older fire engines (early 50s Seagraves, American LaFrance, and others) cleaning and degreasing/regreasing I found much evidence of the love and care of our engines. Those...

I thought that attempting an almost 100% model steam (compressed air) engine from FDM printed parts would be an interesting challenge. I have yet to print the ring and spur gears for Elmer’s #5 geared engine (life gets in the way occasionally), but the emergency gear printed from PLA + for my...

I’ll see if I can start on the base next

Great! I’ll zip them so others can use them. I haven’t added the mounting holes to the ring gear, or modified the spur gear to add the crank. Perhaps someone better than I am can do those? John W

That looks great! Like I said, I can’t load the files, any help would be appreciated. I’m using the Mac version and trying to export it in a different format isn’t working either. Any pointers? John W

I've been attempting to attach the FreeCAD files to upload, but they appear to be unrecognizable by this site. Anyone have any ideas why a .FCStd file cannot be attached to a message?

I have a partial on the ring gear and spur gear I can share. I haven’t drawn in screw holes on the internal ring gear, and haven’t added the spur gear changes that’ll include the crank throw yet, but it’s a start! When I can get to my computer (I’m on my iPad at my cabin presently), I will...

Thanks Andy, excellent advice as usual! I’m trying to draw Elmer’s Geared Engine (I believe it’s number 5), the one with the inner ring gear. I’ve gotten the ring gear and spur gear modeled already, and will begin the frame valve box, and cylinder. I’m planning on using a glass dashpot as a...